Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-06
MRS. CLEVELAND ar MARION.
4 Dinner in Her Honor at Hr. Nick
erson's Ei- House on Great Neck.

A Marion Mass special says: This
has been an exciting day for the peo-
pie of this usually quiet place. Mrs.
Cleveland had accepted an invitation to
dine at the "Big House" as Million
aire A. W. Nickerson's summer home
is called, and the people were anxious
to see her when she left Captain Had
ley's house. SO they arose early, and
Young ard old fiocked to the place
where the Presidents wife is stopping.
There was momentary excitement at
the station when the morning train ar
rived from Boston. From the solitary
passenger-car half dozen men tumbled
ont in a great hurry, who proved to
be walters from the Parker House de-
tailed for special duty at Mr.. Nicker
sons at the dinner to be given to Mrs
Cleveland From the baggage end of
the other, acombination-car, there came
with somewhat more care big hampers,
tubs Of ices, cases marked "gasS,"
cans. and kegs and boxes, linen-coy
cred baskets. and fragile pastebo,rd
packages, all Labelled in big letters with
the name Of the famous hostelry from
which they came. There were also ex-
ploss packages and trunks for the Gree
Tvs and Mrs. Cleveland. The wines,
ices, hampers, tubs, &c, were bundled
into a big express wagon. the walters
were put into waiting barge, and all
were driven off in the direction of Mr..
Nickorson's place.
Before the wagons were fairly out of
sight the sound of horn announced
the approach of Mr.. Nickerson's coach.
This was & handsome fourth hand,
drawn by two fine dappled grays and
two dark bays, with shining coats and
carefully banged tails. The driver and
footmen were in handsome livery, and
Mr.. Nickerson, in plain gray suit, sat
in the carriage. lie drove up to Cap
tain Hadley's, and, after long wait at
the door, the guests appeared and took
their places in the carriage. Mrs.
Cleveland looked radiantly beautiful.
She was dressed in q creamy white
WOOL gown, the skirt having long,
plain draperies in the back. She was
assisted to the seat OF honor in front,
and Mr.. Nickerson took his place by
her side. Mrs. Folsom and Mrs. Welcb,
both in black costumes, took the rear
seat in the carriage, while General
Greedy and Mrs. Greedy sat with their
backs to the horses. Mrs. Greedy,
who is an unusually tail and fne.look-
ing lady. wore a pretty gown of black
aud white thin striped material, with
little white straw bonnet, and General
Greedy looked as distinguished and ele-
CANT as only handsome dark man can
look III a white flannel suit. The footman
ard driver sprang to their places
behind, Mr.. Nickerson gathered up
tie ribbons, the bugle sounded forth a
merry note. and the party was OIL The
four-in-hand Was followed by wagon.
cite drawn by span othandsome grays,
which had drawn up while the other
WAS waiting at the door. The latter
carriage contained John Nicolay, Mrs.
Nicolay, Miss Dawes, daughter OF SEN
a.or Dawes, and tive other guests. A
little later Il. w. Glider, Mrs. Glider,
md two lady friends joined the process
sion, which had set out to dine at Mr..
,,ickerson's. The guests returned late
i'll the afternoon and enjoyed little
play given in Colonel elders studio by
Summer residents for the benefit Of the
NaIion Social Club.
The dinner was served at l o'clock,
and was ole OF the choicest that Messrs.
Beckman & Punchard. of the Parker
House, have ever provided. The table
vas almost hidden in wealth OF roses
and choice cut-howers that filed the air
With perfume. Plates were laid for
twenty. The silver and china were pur-
chased expressly for this dinner
Twelve courses were served, the dishes
comprising all the delicacies of the sea-
son and everything that the most fas-
t;dious appetite could relish. The din
ner was entirely informal. Mrs. Cleve-
land sat at MIR. Nickerson's right at the
head of the table, and charmed all by her
ready wit and fuency of speech. Her
easy manner, and that entire absence
of afiectation that has won for her such
warm praise made her tho central
figure at the table, aside from the fact
that she was the Presidents wife. A!
the other end OF the table, near Mrs.
Nickerson, sat Joe Jefferson, and Gen.
eral Greedy sa. near him. Upon the
arrival OF the party at the house aud
dunng the dinner the cannon on Dir.
Nickerson's yacht, which was riding at
anchor within q stone's-throw of the
| windows, fred salutes in honor OF Mrs.
| Cleveland. The tables were not de-